Tele-bration!

Fender celebrate the Telecaster's 60th anniversary with a series of new models 20-Jul-11

The history of Fender guitars begins with the Telecaster, and Fender are celebrating its 60th anniversary with Tele-bration models that they say stay inside the Telecaster's famously elegant lines while offering the finest and most unusual takes on the instrument's past, present and future. Here's what they have to say about Tele-bration:
On its 1951 introduction, the Telecaster was a revolutionary instrument that would usher in whole new eras of musical innovation and excitement. Sixty years later, in 2011, it is an archetypal electric guitar with a long and storied history. The rich history of Fender guitars begins with the Telecaster, and we're celebrating its 60th anniversary all year with 12 very special "Tele-bration" models that stay inside the Telecaster's famously elegant lines while offering the finest and most unusual takes on the instrument's past, present and future.
The first three Tele-bration models

The Flame Top Telecaster, (above), is an American Standard model that pairs an elegant Antique Burst lacquer finish with a striking AAA flame maple top, gold hardware and pearl tuner buttons.

Fender's Old-Growth Redwood Telecaster is hewn from reclaimed centuries-old Northern California redwood that has aged into a fantastically strong and resonant tonewood. Salvaged from various buildings and other structures, the wood bears the historical knots, nail holes, bruises and other badges of more than a century of well-seasoned use, giving an individual stamp and unique appeal and character to each guitar. The result is a highly distinctive take on the venerable Telecaster.

The Modern Thinline Telecaster gives a nod to the '90s as a chambered Thinline model with modern hardware and features. Its Olympic White finish and double binding in tortoise shell impart a sharp and stately look.